Grahame Morris MP

Easington MP backs new law to protect Emergency Workers

Grahame Morris MP for Easington has expressed his support for a new law that would offer more protection for police, firefighters and NHS workers in Easington from sexual assault.

Grahame has given his support to a new law being proposed by Chris Bryant MP, which for the first time would make it an aggravated offence to sexual assault an emergency worker. It builds on the Private Members Bill that will already offer protection against physical assaults and that Grahame voted for last October.

With a shocking rise of sexual assaults against ambulance workers, this law aims to help deter people from assaulting the workers who protect our public on a daily basis, and to ensure those that do face tough sanctions. Chris Bryant’s Private Members’ Bill which reached its final stage in the Commons on Friday already makes physical assaults against an emergency worker an aggravated offence, and this most recent amendment will ensure sexual assaults on them are considered aggravated as well.

The new law has support from the Royal College of Nursing, Unison, the Fire Bridges Union, the Police Federation, Alcohol Concern, the British Transport Police and the GMB union. It comes after Chris Bryant MP came top of the ballot for ‘Private Members Bills’ in Parliament, a mechanism that allows an MP to put forward a proposal to be debated in parliament and potentially made into law. After opening a public vote on which issue to put forward, Mr Bryant went with the majority winner which was this Bill to stop attacks on emergency workers.

Grahame Morris MP said:

“I backed the bill to protect our protectors because it’s absolutely unacceptable that the hard-working men and women in Durham’s NHS, Fire and Police services face assault and abuse simply for doing their jobs trying to keep us all safe and well, but it’s time we strengthen the Bill even further and stop sexual assaults on them too.

“Sexual assault is always unacceptable, but the growing trend of sexual assaults on, in particular, ambulance workers and paramedics must be stamped out immediately. So I’m proud to give them the support and protection they need and that’s why I’m backing this amendment.”

Chris Bryant MP said:

“No one should be attacked just for doing their job, let alone when that job is putting themselves on the line for the public good, but too many emergency workers have told me of the sexual abuse and threats they face so we must ensure this Bill gives them the protections they need.

“In the time of #metoo and #timesup we simply can not stand by whilst sexual assaults on emergency workers grow so I’m thankful to have Grahame’s support for this amendment to give them the protection they need.”